36 Weeks

Oh my gosh! I just realized I'll only be posting 3 or 4 more of these! (ok, maybe 5 if she's a week late, but for my sake let's hope its no more than 4)

So here we are, 36 weeks and 3 days (I've been on my internal medicine rotation, I haven't had a day off in 2 weeks so I had trouble getting around to the picture this week. This also explains my clothing choice... by the end of the day i just want to be comfortable so sweatpants and Micah's t-shirt it is) I've gotten to the point where i'm just so tired and I don't feel like working anymore. Luckily TOMORROW is my last day working in the hospital until FEBRUARY! 

We had a pretty bad dust storm today (which is what the red "cloud" Micah drew behind the 36 weeks represents. he's so funny). It caused a huge pile-up on I-27. winds were 35mph sustained with gusts to the 70s. Of course I make it out to my car to leave work and I have a nearly flat tire. *sigh* ok God, I'll make a short detour to get this fixed before I head home. I'm thankful I have transportation and a safe warm house waiting for me.

The picture isn't very flattering... but I have to show off my real belly. Look closely... NO STRETCH MARKS! Woooo hooooo (sorry Amanda, it's genetic and I apparently got the genes from the grandmother I resemble the most in the face) ok so technically i have a tiny stretch mark where my bellybutton ring was, but that's my own fault for piercing my bellybutton.

I'm hoping she decides to "drop" into my pelvis soon. My OB checked me last week (since she had to do the group B strept swab anyway) and my cervix was soft but high and closed. Which is good for now, but i'm pretty sure bailey is completely above my pelvis and i'm not sure if she has any intention of dropping lower. We'll see in the coming weeks. My OB actually goes out of town this friday and doesn't return until i'm 39 weeks and 1 day... so it'll be interesting to see if Bailey waits for her. As anxious as I am to meet her, and have her be small enough to actually fit through my pelvis (and be able to sleep on my stomach again!) I don't really want her birthday to be this close to Christmas, so i'm hoping she does wait til Jan. 8th at least. 

My dog still thinks the red "balls" that dangle on the tree are the best toy ever! If you notice the red tree skirt has been undone... AGAIN by Fiona and the outermost lower branches of the tree are missing any ornaments. I have to keep picking them up and moving them higher. Luckily they aren't glass. 

Micah and I have a travel suitcase to use as our hospital bag and as of tonight i actually put SOMETHING in it :) Yes it may just be clothes for Bailey to come home in, but hey... it's a start ;) We had a low pressure system and I was noticing that my Braxton-hicks contractions are getting more frequent and stronger. Definitely not the real thing or anything, but perhaps a sign that my body may know what to do afterall? 

We have another Dr. appt this thursday (now at the once a week stage!) and we have a growth ultrasound this coming friday. I'm so excited to get to see her again (last u/s was at 18 weeks so it should be quite a difference now). My Dr doesn't think she's measuring big anymore, but is concerned about my fluid levels since i've been on my feet and on the go so much. 

Micah's family came to visit last weekend and celebrate his graduation. YAY MICAH! He now has TWO masters degrees on top of his bachelors. Bailey has such a hardworking and smart dad. 

Oh, one more thing. we went to our natural childbirth class last week and i'm SO glad we did! We now have a Doula (my hospital provides one for free!) and I feel so much more confident about my ability to give birth without an epidural. I'm practicing my self-hypnosis and relaxation techniques nearly everyday now. Hopefully all this hippie stuff will work. I honestly think taking the fear out of childbirth will make it much more bearable. We'll see if I know what i'm talking about in another 4 weeks or so. 

Summary:
Weeks: 36
Fruit/veggie: Honeydew Melon
Weight gain: who cares... (ha ha, just kidding. 32 lbs)
Milestones: Finishing up all of my rotations before Bailey is born and a growth ultrasound on Friday!